Crushing mechanism



Nov. 6, 1962 o. MANKKI EI'AL CRUSHING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 20. 1961 m W W w I d wn L 4.. l-

(M v: 8 Y

Nov. 6, 1962 o. MANKKI ETAL 3,062,131

CRUSHING MECHANISM Filed April 20, 1961. 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORs 0mm Mnuxmm Rofltll' M. Wauwm TeX/w, 7 3M Tm RTTORNEYS Nov. 6, 19.62

0.,MANKKI ETAL CRUSHING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fil ad April 20, 1961 3,662,131 CRUSHING MECHANISM Onnie Manklri and Robert M. Woiaver, South Euclid,

Ohio, assignors to Central Products Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Apr. 20, 1961, Ser. No. 104,443 8 Claims. ((Jl. 100-233) This invention relates in general to crushing mechanism, and more particularly to a crushing mechanism especially adapted for crushing cans, bottles and the like, and usable, for instance, in institutions, food handling businesses and the like, for facilitating the disposal of tin cans and other crushable containers.

Crushing mechanisms and particularly can crushing mechanisms are known in the art. However, these prior art devices generally leave much to be desired in that they either do not operate effectively to compress the cans, or they are unduly complicated and expensive, and usually require a high degree of maintenance thereon.

The instant invention provides a novel, compact can crushing device which is simple in construction, and which operates effectively to compress cans and the like into a generally flattened configuration.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide an improved can crushing mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel can crushing device which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture and easy to maintain.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a compact can crushing device comprising a stationary jaw and an upwardly divergent movable jaw, and wherein the movable jaw is supported by a novel linkage mechanism actuated by a motor unit, for generally linear movement towards and away from the stationary jaw.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a can crushing mechanism constructed in accordance with the instant invention; in dot-dash lines there is shown the rearward position of the movable jaw of the crushing mechanism and certain elements of the associated linkage system supporting such movable jaw;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational, partially sectioned view of the crushing mechanism of FIG. 1, taken generally from the right hand side of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, top plan view of a portion of the power drive for actuating the crushing mechanism of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view taken generally along the plane of line 44 of FIG. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows, and illustrating other components of the power drive of the crushing mechanism of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a reduced size, side elevational view of the chassis frame assembly including the stationary jaw of the crushing mechanism;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the chassis frame assembly illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the movable jaw of the crushing mechanism of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the FIG. 7 jaw;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a frame portion of the linkage drive assembly of the crushing mechanism;

FIG. 10 is an end elevational view of the FIG. 9 assembly taken from the right hand side thereof;

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of one of the link members for supporting the drive frame assembly of FIG. 9 on the crushing mechanism;

FIG. 12 is a vertical sectional View taken generally 3,062,131 Patented Nov. 6, 1962 along the plane of line 1212 of FIG. 11, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of one of the eccentric drive members per se, which is adapted for actuating the movable jaw of the crushing mechanism;

FIG. 14 is a vertical sectional view taken generally along the plane of line 1414 of FIG. 13 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now again to the drawings, reference number 10* refers to the novel crushing mechanism of the invention. Such mechanism may be detachably mounted, as by means of bolt and nut assemblies 12, on a base or crushed can receiving cabinet 14, and broadly comprises a chassis frame 16 (-FIGS. 1 and 5) mounting the stationary jaw 18 of the mechanism thereon, a movable jaw 20 supported by a linkage ssytem 22 for generally linear movement toward and away from the stationary jaw, an eccentric drive means 24 for actuating the linkage system of the movable jaw, and a power drive system generally referred to by number 26, for actuating such eccentric drive means.

The chassis frame 16 comprises a pair of laterally spaced side plates which support the stationary jaw 13 therebetween. The stationary jaw, which preferably includes bosses 18a on its working surface, may be reinforced by channel-shaped member 32 extending generally vertically and centrally along such stationary jaw for substantially its full height. Cross members 34 may be provided extending between the side plates for rigidifying the chassis frame.

Linkage system 22 includes spaced drive frame assemblies 38, disposed on opposite sides of the crushing mechanism and exteriorly of side plates 30. Each drive frame assembly 38 comprises a pair of spaced vertical arms 38a, secured adjacent their upper ends to a diagonally upwardly extending arm 38b and secured adjacent their lower ends to a diagonally downwardly extending arm 380. Each drive frame assembly 38 is movably supported on the chassis frame 16 by three, generally vertically pivotable links 40, 49a and 4%. Link 40 is pivoted as at 42 to a shaft 42a extending transversely between side plates 30 of the chassis frame 16, and is pivotally coupled as at 43- to the arm 38c, and as by means of transversely extending shaft 43a extending through links 40 and arms 380. Link 40a is pivoted as at 44 to a shaft 44a extending transversely between the side plates 30 and is pivotally coupled as at 46 adjacent the other end of arm 38c, and as by means of transversely extending shaft 46a extending through links 40a and arms 380. Link 40b is pivoted as at 47 to a shaft 47a extending transversely between and supported on the side plates 30, and at its other end is pivotally coupled to arm 38b, and as by means of shaft 49 extending through links 4012 and arms 38b. Links 40, 40a and 4% are preferably provided with pressed bushings or some other suitable bearing means, for anti-frictional movement thereof.

Pivoted as at St) to vertical arms 38a is a drive link 2 and adjacent the other end of the drive link 52 there is provided a circular opening 54 having an eccentric drive member 56 movably mounted therein. Eccentric drive members 56 are keyed, as at 56a, to a transversely extending drive shaft 58 extending between and rotatably mounted on side plates 30 of the chassis frame.

A sprocket member 60 is secured adjacent one end of drive shaft 58 and is connected by any suitable means, such as a link chain 69a, to a smaller sprocket 62 secured to a shaft 64 rotatably mounted on and extending between side plates 30 behind the stationary jaw 18. A flywheel 66 is secured to an end of shaft 64 with such flywheel being coupled, as by means of a belt 68 or the like, to a drive pulley 7% of motor unit 72, which in the embodiment illustrated is an electric motor.

Motor unit 72 is supported on platform 74 which is pivotally mounted as at 74a to aforementioned shaft 44a extending transversely between the side plates 3h. The other end of platform 74 may be provided with a resilient holding means 78, including bolt means 78:: secured or held at one end, as at 7312, to the base cabinet 14, and at the other end thereof includes a resilient means, such as compression spring 78c coacting between the platform 74 and an associated threaded nut 78d. It will be seen, therefore, that such an arrangement provides for readily adjusting the tension in drive belt 68, which supports the motor unit 72 and associated platform 74, for accomplishing effective movement of the movable jaw 29 of the crushing mechanism.

The movable jaw comprises a plate body 8% similar to the stationary jaw 18 and preferably includes bosses 80a on its working surface. The upper end of plate 80 may be provided with a portion 82 for facilitating the movement of cans and the like into the space 83 defined between the jaws 18 and 20 and the side plates of the chassis frame 16. A can be seen in FIG. 1, jaw 29 diverges in an upward direction with respect to the stationary jaw. Jaw 20 may be also provided with vertically extending channel means 86 for reinforcing the jaw. Brackets 37 are provided on the outer side of jaw 20 for receiving therein aforementioned shafts 49, 46a for mounting the jaw 20 on the linkage system 22 for movement toward and away from the stationary jaw.

Upon energization of the electric motor 72, which may be provided with a conventional starter switch and associated overload cutout, the drive pulley 70 of the motor drives belt 68, thereby rotating flywheel 66 and causing rotation of shaft 64, thereby driving sprocket 62. Sprocket 62 drives larger diameter sprocket 60 via chain 60a, thereby rotating th drive shaft 58 and associated eccentric members 56. Rotation of eccentric members 56 causes longitudinal movement of drive links 52, thereby resulting in more or less reciprocal movement of drive frame assemblies 38 supported by pivotal links 40, 40a and 40b, and thus causing the movable jaw 20 to reciprocate generally linearly toward and away from the stationary jaw 18 of the crusting mechanism. As cans and the like are fed into the widened top of the crusher, they are compressed during such generally linear move ment of the movable jaw towards and away from the stationary jaw, and the cans feed down toward the lower end of the jaws until they pass through the space between the stationary and movable jaws at the bottom extremities thereof. Thereupon the cans may fall into the receiving cabinet 14 and be subsequently collected therefrom for disposal. The cans to be crushed may be opened at both ends thereof, which facilitates the ease of compression thereof.

It will be seen that applicants arrangement is simple, compact and rugged in construction, and provides for ready maintenance and adjustment of the crushing mechanism, and that the rotary eccentric movement of the eccentric drive members 56 is translated by the drive links 52 into substantially reciprocal linear movement for the movable jaw 20. It will also be noted that the disposition of the supporting links 49, 40a and dub intermediate the side plates 30, in conjunction with the configuration of the side plates, provides a highly compact arrangement.

From the foregoing discussion and accompanying drawings it will be seen that the invention provides a novel can crushing device which is simple in construction, which operates effectively to compress cans and the like into a generally flattened configuration, which is economical to manufacture and to maintain, and which includes a stationary jaw and a movable jaw, and wherein the movable jaw is supported by a novel eccentric driven linkage mechanism for providing generally linear movement of the movable jaw towards and away from the stationary jaw.

The terms and expressions which have been used are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of any of the features shown or described, or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

We claim:

1. A crushing mechanism for cans and the like, comprising a chassis frame, said chassis frame comprising a pair of transversely spaced side plates, a first stationary jaw disposed in a generally vertical plane between said side plates and being connected thereto, a linkage system movably mounted on said chassis frame, said linkage system comprising a pair of drive frame assemblies disposed on opposite sides of said crushing mechanism exteriorly of said side plates, each of said drive frame assemblies comprising a generally vertical arm, and top and bottom generally longitudinally extending divergent arms secured to said vertical arm, a pair of equal length mounting links pivotally coupled to said bottom arm adjacent its ends and being pivotally coupled to said chassis frame, a single mounting link pivotally coupled to said top arm and being pivotally coupled to said chassis frame, a drive link pivotally coupled to said vertical arm of each of said drive frame assemblies, a second jaw mounted on said linkage system and between said side plates for movement towards and away from said first jaw, eccentric means coacting with each of said drive links for causing longitudinal reciprocation of said drive frame assemblies and thus movement of said second jaw towards and away from said first jaw, and power means for actuating said eccentric means, said power means including a motor unit having a drive pulley coupled thereto, and a flywheel rotatably mounted on said chassis frame and operatively coupled to said drive pulley, and drive sprocket means coacting between said flywheel and said eccentric means for actuating the latter.

2. A crushing mechanism in accordance with claim l, wherein said second jaw is disposed in a plane which diverges in an upward direction with respect to the plane of said first jaw, and reinforcing means secured to the outer sides of each of said jaws for rigidifying the latter.

3. A crushing mechanism in accordance with claim 1, wherein said mounting links are disposed inwardly of said side plates, and wherein transversely extending shaft means couple the corresponding of said mounting links together for pivotal movement as a unit, certain of said shaft means supporting said second jaw.

4. A crushing mechanism in accordance with claim 1, including a transversely extending shaft rotatably mounted on said side plates, said eccentric means being secured to said shaft, a first sprocket secured to said shaft, a second sprocket coupled to said flywheel for rotation therewith, flexible chain means coupling said first sprocket to said second sprocket, said sprockets and said flexible chain means constituting said drive sprocket means, whereby upon energization of said motor unit and resultant rotation of said flywheel, said second sprocket drives said first sprocket and thus causes eccentric rotary movement of said eccentric means.

5. A crushing mechanism for cans and the like comprising a chassis frame, a first jaw supported by said frame, a linkage system mounted for movement on said frame, a second jaw mounted on said linkage system for movement toward and away from said first jaw responsive to movement of said linkage system, said linkage system comprising a drive frame disposed on a side of said crushing mechanism, longitudinally spaced link means pivotally mounted on said chassis frame for movement in generally vertical planes, said link means being pivotally coupled to said drive frame and supporting the latter on said chassis frame, a generally longitudinally extending drive link operatively coupled to said drive frame, and rotatable means mounted on said chassis frame and coacting with said drive link for reciprocating said drive frame generally longitudinally responsive to rotation of the last mentioned means.

6. A crushing mechanism for cans and the like comprising a chassis frame, a first stationary jaw supported by said frame, a linkage system mounted for movement on said frame, a second jaw mounted on said linkage system for movement toward and away from said first jaw responsive to movement of said linkage system, said linkage system comprising a drive frame disposed on a side of said crushing mechanism, said drive frame comprising a substantially vertical arm and generally longitudinally extending upper and lower arms secured to said vertical arm, link means pivotally mounted on said chassis frame for movement in generally vertical planes, said link means being pivotally coupled to said upper and lower arms and supporting said drive frame on said chassis frame, and means including a rotatable eccentric mounted on said chassis frame and coacting with said drive frame for reciprocating the latter generally longitudinally upon rotation of said eccentric.

7. A crushing mechanism for cans and the like comprising a chassis frame, a first stationary jaw supported by said frame, a linkage system mounted for movement on said frame, a second jaw mounted on said linkage system for movement toward and away from said first jaw responsive to movement of said linkage system, said linkage system comprising a drive frame assembly disposed on each side of said crushing mechanism, each frame assembly comprising a generally vertical arm and generally longitudinally extending top and bottom arms secured to said vertical arm, equal length link members pivotally coupled to said chassis frame for movement in generally vertical planes, said link members being pivotally coupled to said top and bottom arms and supporting the respective drive frame assembly on said chassis frame, a drive link pivoted to each of said vertical arms and extending generally longitudinally outwardly therefrom, means mounted on said chassis frame for actuating said linkage system, said means comprising eccentric members movably mounted in each of said drive links, a transversely extending shaft connecting said eccentric members, and power means for rotating said eccentric members to cause reciprocal movement of said drive frame assemblies generally longitudinally of said crushing mechanism.

8. A crushing mechanism for cans and the like comprising a chassis frame, a first stationary jaw supported by said frame, a linkage system mounted for movement on said frame, a second jaw mounted on said linkage system for movement toward and away from said first jaw responsive to movement of said linkage system, means on said frame for actuating said linkage system, and power means for actuating the first mentioned means, said power means including a motor having a drive pulley, and a flywheel rotatably mounted on said frame, endless flexible means coacting with said flywheel and said drive pulley to cause rotation of said flywheel upon actuation of said motor, a platform pivoted to said frame, said motor being supported by said platform, said flexible means supporting said platform in predetermined position, and adjustable resilient means coacting with said platform for adjusting the tension in said flexible means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 140,019 Dixon et a1 June 17, 1873 2,737,995 Jennings Mar. 13, 1956 2,920,554 Bunke Jan. 12, 1960 2,931,585 Butler Apr. 5, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 69,073 France Apr. 8, 1958 333,642 Great Britain Aug. 21, 1930 

